Maria Ozawa on PH showbiz career, leaving the porn industry

Ryan Macasero

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Maria Ozawa on PH showbiz career, leaving the porn industry
'This is the beginning of my projects in the Philippines,' says former adult film star Maria Ozawa

MANILA, Philippines – “It’s my chance here in the Philippines,” said Japanese actress and former adult film star Maria Ozawa. The actress is in the Philippines to promote her upcoming movie Nilalang (The Entity), which will premiere as part of the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) lineup.  

Maria stars alongside Philippine action hero Robin Padilla. He plays a forensic expert who teams up with Maria’s character, an heir to a transnational organized crime syndicate from Japan.

According to a press release, Nilalang “tackles the underbelly of corrupt Philippine cops with the ‘yakuza’ and its links to a centuries’ old curse that may be responsible for the spate of serial killings happening in Manila. 

In preparing for the movie, Maria had to learn martial arts, and learn more Filipino words. “I love horror movies,” she told Rappler. “But I’m really chicken.” 

Breaking into the mainstream after spending years in porn, Maria said, would be difficult. “It’s totally different,” she said. And that’s why she’s been pursuing commercial and acting opportunities around Asia.

Rappler photo

She has been in adult films since she was 18, but left the industry in the last few years. “I do miss the industry,” Maria clarified. “I just quit 4 or 5 years ago. This new acting, filming…it’s so new to me. I’m really excited, but worried,” she said. “I have lots of feelings (about the transition),” she said. 

She is only in Manila for a week, and will return once the filming of Nilalang starts in August. Although she has yet to meet Robin, she is excited to begin filming with the action star. “He’s like an idol here in the Philippines, right? And number one in everything. I’m really pumped up.” 

And she is also looking forward to visiting more places around the country, especially the beaches. “I’m really hoping it’ll work and people would know me better,” Maria tells Rappler. “I love it here. Everything. The food is great. I love the warm weather; I hope to come here often.”  

And she probably will. “This is the beginning of my projects in the Philippines,” she said. “In Japan, it’s really hard to be in television when you’re doing porn first. Things I can’t do in Japan, I’d love to do it here.” – Rappler.com 

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Nobuhiko Matsunaka

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Ryan Macasero

Ryan covers social welfare for Rappler. He started at Rappler as social media producer in 2013, and later took on various roles for the company: editor for the #BalikBayan section, correspondent in Cebu, and general assignments reporter in the Visayas region. He graduated from California State University, East Bay, with a degree in international studies and a minor in political science. Outside of work, Ryan performs spoken word poetry and loves attending local music gigs. Follow him on Twitter @ryanmacasero or drop him leads for stories at ryan.macasero@rappler.com